Eastern Oregon hunter reports killing wolf in self-defense while tracking elk

A hunter in eastern Oregon reported shooting and killing a wolf in self-defense last week, according to wildlife officials investigating the incident.

Officials said the hunter, whose name was not released, was tracking elk southeast of Seneca when a wolf came out from the timber in front of him.

“The hunter stated he yelled at the wolf and waved his arms in an effort to scare the wolf away,” according to a news release from Oregon State Police. “The wolf then reportedly looked at the hunter from a distance of approximately 30 yards and started coming directly toward the hunter. The hunter stated he feared for his safety and fired one round, striking the wolf and killing it instantly.”

Officials said the approximate distance from the hunter’s location to the wolf carcass was 18 yards.

“The hunter reported that after shooting the wolf, a second wolf came out of the timber and the hunter shot one time in the air and the wolf fled,” the news release said.

Attacks on humans by wolves are extremely rare, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“Dangerous wolf-human interactions are extremely rare,” the state agency said. “Like other large carnivores, wolves will tend to avoid people. They are more likely to occur when wolves are habituated to people, when dogs are involved, or if wolves are sick.”

Wildlife officials will issue a report to the Grant County District Attorney’s Office for review. 

Shooting a wolf is illegal in Oregon except in certain cases, including self-defense. The violation for shooting a wolf is a Class A misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of a $6,250 fine and one year jail time.

“Preliminary investigation revealed the hunter acted reasonably in shooting the wolf for personal safety and appropriately notified officials immediately upon shooting the wolf,” OSP said in the news release.

Oregon is home to a minimum of 178 wolves, a number that has grown only very slightly over the past few years, in part due to the number of animals killed by poaching, car accidents and lethal take by wildlife officials for attacking livestock.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.